America's Outback: An Odyssey through the Great Southwest

by John Annerino

Hopi traditional elder Thomas Banyacya once described the American Southwest as "the spiritual center of our continent." Author, photographer, and adventurer John Annerino retraces ancient trails to show us why this is so. Through recent and historical photos, essays, and literary quotes, he takes us across what the Spaniards often feared as despoblados , or uninhabited lands, from Old Mexico to the Four Corners of ancient cities, painted deserts, and trilingual cultural landscapes--some of the most inaccessible land on the continent. Juxtaposed with tales of his own perilous expeditions, the book contains oral histories and remarkable images of terrain that few of today's tourists have ever seen. Told from a current point of view, this throwback to the days of Geronimo and Navajo headman Manuelito will appeal to adventurers, historians, and those interested in the mesmerizing mystique of our own American outback.

112 pages, Hardcover

Published July 28, 2021

About the author

Author and photographer John Annerino has been working in the American West and the frontier of Old México for 20 years, documenting its natural beauty, indigenous people, and political upheaval. A veteran contract photographer for the Liaison International and TimePix photo agencies in New York and Paris, and Marka Graphic Photo in Milano, John's photography is archived in the Time-Life Picture Collection and has appeared in scores of prestigious publications worldwide, including Time, LIFE, People, Newsweek, Scientific American, Travel & Leisure, The New York Times, and National Geographic Adventure. His acclaimed collection of distinguished books feature diverse interests, geographies, and cultures, and range from his most cherished photographic essay, Indian Country: Sacred Ground, Native People, to his most heart wrenching book, Dead in Their Tracks. His celebrated single-artist calendars include Desert Light, Inspiration, La Virgen de Guadalupe, and Mayan Long Count Calendar. John's lifetime commitment to publishing illuminates his "passion to document endangered places, peoples, cultures, and traditions."

Reviews

[Evelina | AvalinahsBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

How I read this: Free ebook copy received through Edelweiss

I downloaded this because Shiffer publishing usually has amazing photo album style books. So I imagined this too would be full of large-pane photos with short captions.

But I was wrong. There are some photos and they're lovely, but there aren't very many. Instead, there are quite a lot of... Descriptions and anecdotes. I'm normally a fan of anecdotes, but these were quite boring, as I tried diligently to read them through, but just noticed myself snoozing and jumping a line back or forwards or all over the place, cause it wasn't really the most engaging text either. Why even have descriptions? The photos should do the talking. Instead, it seemed as though the text is there because maybe there wasn't enough photos or something. Some of it was about the history of the places, and those were really the only ones that caught my attention at all.

Please keep in mind that it's my expectations that made this book 3 stars for me. So your experience may be different. I kind of feel bad for giving a book a lower rating "because there's too much text and not enough pictures", but I simply didn't really enjoy it.

I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.

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[Tissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annerino is so talented I wonder where to start. America’s Outback, his latest book, showcases his skills with a camera, bringing pictures to life.

[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]

[GONZA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not familiar with the history of Native American peoples, as well as the most famous explorers of the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona/Utah, but certainly, as far as I am concerned, the best part of this book are the photos.

La storia delle popolazioni native americane non la conoscevo, come anche i piú famosi esploratori dei deserti del New Mexico e dell'Arizona/Utah ma sicuramente, per quanto mi riguarda, la parte migliore di questo libro sono le foto.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[Brian Master · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is remarkable in its historical scope. Brilliant photos from many eras, and a good, constant reminder that these are lands that were populated centuries before and pioneeers "discovered" it.
The descriptive text would have been more welcome with the pictures on the same or following pages.
A keeper.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some great stories in this book, and the photos just add to the luster of the book!

The author takes you on a journey through the Southwest, sharing some stories and other information.

The photos were my favorite part of the book. It honestly brought it to life.